Trump Zeroes in on Iran’s Threats

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Trump Zeroes in on Iran’s Threats

Wednesday, 31 January, 2018 - 06:30

US President Donald Trump greets US Supreme Court justices (from L-R) Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer following his State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 30, 2018. Mandel NGAN / AFP

Asharq Al-Awsat

President Donald Trump has summoned the country to a "new American moment" of unity in his first State of the Union and warned of the dangers from "rogue regimes," like Iran and North Korea.

Trump's address Tuesday night blended self-congratulation and calls for optimism amid a growing economy with ominous warnings about deadly gangs, the scourge of drugs and violent immigrants living in the United States illegally.

He also spoke forebodingly of catastrophic dangers from abroad, warning that North Korea would "very soon" threaten the United States with nuclear-tipped missiles.

“Around the world, we face rogue regimes, terrorist groups,” the president said.

He also upped the ante in his stand-off with Iran, vowing US support for street protests against Tehran's regime.

"When the people of Iran rose up against the crimes of their corrupt dictatorship, I did not stay silent," Trump declared.

"America stands with the people of Iran in their courageous struggle for freedom," he promised, to applause from assembled lawmakers.

“I am asking the Congress to address the fundamental flaws in the terrible Iran nuclear deal,” he added.

The president also highlighted gains made against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, while warning that "there is much more work to be done" in the war against the militants.